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Case Against Cougar Trapping in New Mexico Proceeds

“A federal magistrate judge is allowing a lawsuit that asserts a state wildlife agency’s decision to open a cougar trapping season on public lands violates the Endangered Species Act to proceed. The cougar trapping season, which began Nov. 1, 2016 and ends March 31, 2017, is the first in nearly 50 years and will almost certainly kill and injure endangered Mexican wolves in violation of the Endangered Species Act.”

“Judge Lourdes A. Martinez issued a ruling in favor of local wildlife advocates, The Humane Society of the United States and Animal Protection of New Mexico, which filed the lawsuit in federal court in New Mexico against New Mexico State Game Commissioners and the director of the state’s Department of Game and Fish.”

Cougar traps are much larger than those set for smaller species and will often result in the death of the animal because they struggle against the trap and injure themselves in the process. An injured cougar cannot hunt to sustain itself and will starve to death. Kittens are often left orphaned by trapping and also perish without the care of their mother.